Gasoline theft preventing device



Feb. 9, 1932. H R. c. ROBERTS 1,844,297

GASOLINE-THEFT PREVENTING DEVICE Filed March 23, 1951 2 SheetsSheet 1 I nvenlor fiaj (3 17015921 17 flzmmiw.

flllorney Feb. 9, 1932, c, ROBERTS 1,844,297

GASOLINE THEFT PREVENTING DEVICE Filed March 23, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2' Jia, Z

Inventor 47a} [31723082 17 6 M Patented Feb. 9, 1932 RAY CARL ROBERTS, ERIE, KANSAS GASOLINE THEFT PREVENTING DEVICE Application filed March 23, 1931. Serial No. 524,712.

This invention relates to a gasoline theft preventing device particularly for use on antomobiles and has for its primary object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a device of this character embodying a novel construction and arrangement of parts whereby the unauthorized removal of fuel from the gasoline tank of the automobile by siphoning will be prevented regardless of the quantity of fuel in the tank.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a gasoline theft preventing device of the character described which may be operatively mounted for use inthe tanks of new vehicles or in the tanks of vehicles which are already in use without the necessity of materially altering the same.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a gasoline theft preventing device of the character set forth which will be simple in construction, strong, durable, efiicient and reliable in operation and which may be manufactured and installed at low cost.

All of the foregoing and still further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a study of the following specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein Figure 1 is a View in vertical section through portion of a gasoline tank showing a device in accordance with this inventon mounted in position therein.

Figure 2 is a view in vertical section through the device.

Figure 3 is a view in horizontal section taken substantially on the line 33 of Figure 2 looking downwardly.

Figure 4 is a view in horizontal section taken substantially on the line 44 of Fig ure 1 looking downwardly.

Figure 5 is a detail view in perspective of the float.

Figure 6 is a detail view in perspective of the sleeve which is mounted on the iioat.

Referring to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that an upper portion of a gasoline tank is designated by the reference numeral 1 and is provided with an upstanding neck 2 providing an inlet for the tank which is closed by the removable cap 3 of conventional construction. In the present instance the neck 2 is internally threaded for threaded engagement by the upper end portion of a cylinder 4 which is openat its upper end and closed at its lower end, as at 5. The upper portion of the cylinder 4 which is externally threaded for engagement with the neck 2 is enlarged, as at 6, thus providing an annular space 7 below the lower portion of the enlargement 6 and between the lower end portion of the neck 2 andthe cylinder 4. The cylinder 4 is provided with a plurality of circumferentially extending slots 8 in its vertical wall.

A rod 9 extends through the bottom 5 of the cylinder 4 and is provided with a head 10 on its upper end for engagement with said bottom 5. A float 11 is mounted on the rod 9and is adapted for vertical movement beneath the cylinder 4. A cylindrical sleeve 12 is mounted on the float 11 for movement therewith and is adapted for telescopic movement over the cylinder 4 upon vertical reciprocation of the float 11. i

In use, when the float 11 is in lowered position, most of the circumferential slots 8 in the cylinder 4 are uncovered by the sleeve 12 and gasoline is then permitted to enter the cylinder 4 through the open upper end thereof, pass through the slots 8 into the tank 1. As the float 11 rises in the tank 1 the sleeve 12 successively closes the slots 8 thereby preventing the return of the gasoline from the tank 1 into the cylinder 4. As before stated, the sleeve 12 moves up and down with the float 11. While in the present instance the cylinder 4 has been shown threaded into the neck 2, said cylinder may be mounted in said neck in any suitablemanner, as by welding.

It is believedthat the many advantages of a gasolinejtheft preventing device constructed in accordance with this invention will be readily understood, and although the preferred embodiment ofthe invention is as illustrated and described, it isto be understood that changes in the details of construc- 3 tion may be had which will fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed is 1. A gasoline theft preventing device for gasoline tanks comprising a cylinder mounted in the inlet opening of the tank and extending into said tank, said cylinder being open at its outer end and closed at its inner end and having a multiplicity of openings in its side wall, a float shiftably disposed in the tank, and a sleeve mounted on thefloat for movement therewith and extending slidably over the cylinder for successively covering or uncovering the openings therein.

2. A gasoline theft preventing device for fuel tanks of the type having an inlet opening in the upper portions thereof comprising a cylinder mounted in the inlet opening and depending therefrom into the tank, said cylinder being open at its upper end and closed at its lower end and having longitudinal series of openings in its side wall, a float mounted in the tank beneath the cylinder for movement toward and away from said cylinder, and a cylindrical sleeve mounted on the float for movement therewith and extending slidportions thereof comprising a vertically disposed cylinder mounted in the inlet opening and depending therefrom into the tank, said cylinder being open at its upper end and closed at its lower end and having series of circumferentially extending slots in its side wall, a longitudinally disposed rod mounted centrally on the bottom of the cylinder, an annular float mounted concentrically on the rod for reciprocation in the tank and away from. the cylinder, and a cylindrical sleeve mounted on the float and extending slidably over the cylinder for successively covering or uncovering the slots in said cylinder upon movement of the float toward or away from the cylinder.

6. In combination with a tank of a theft preventing device comprising a perforated cylinder extending into the tank from a filling opening thereof, a sleeve slidable on the cylinder, and a float operatively connected with the sleeve for shifting said sleeve relative to the cylinder.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

RAY CARL ROBERTS.

ably over the cylinder for successively covering or uncovering the openings therein.

3. A gasoline theft preventing device for fuel tanks of the type having an inlet opening in the upper portions thereof comprising a cylinder mounted in the inlet opening and depending therefrom into the tank, said cylinder being open at its upper and closed at its lower end and having series of circumferentially extending slots in its side wall, a float mounted for vertical reciprocation in the tank beneath the cylinder, a rod operatively connecting the float to the bottom of the cylinder, and a cylindrical sleeve'mounted on the float and extending slidably over the cylinder for successively covering or uncovering the slots therein.

4. In combination, a tank, an upstanding, internally threaded neck on the tank providing an inlet opening, a cylinder, an enlarged, externally threaded upper end portion on the cylinder threadedly engaged with the inner periphery of the neck in a manner 4 to secure the cylinder in positionin said neck,

said cylinder depending from the neck into the tank and being open at its upper end and closed at its lower end, the cylinder further being provided with series of circumferentially extending slots in its side walls, a float disposed for vertical reciprocation in the tank beneath the cylinder, a rod operatively connecting the float with the bottom of the cylinder, and a cylindrical sleeve mounted on the float and extending slidably over the cylinder in a manner to successively cover or uncover the slots therein.

5. A gasoline theft preventing device of the character described for fuel tanks of the type having an inlet'openin'g'in the upper 

